Heather Tarr 'proud' of Washington after season-ending loss

Washington softball head coach Heather Tarr was proud of her squad despite the season-ending loss to Stanford.

It took a lot out of Tarr, who couldn’t envision herself anywhere else in college softball. She said her players left a lasting legacy.

Washington and Tarr go hand in hand, and so do the players under her watch that stuck it out through all ups and downs.

“I’m just super proud to be a Husky,” Tarr said postgame. “I’m proud of these guys for the legacy that many of them are leaving our program, having left behind them. I talked to them just a little bit ago, and everybody’s gone through it, but to get to college, have a lot of momentum, get to the college World Series as a freshman, and then the pandemic hits. Transfer portal everywhere, all kinds of crazy stuff. Everybody moving everywhere.

“For the ones in our program that stayed and really led our program, I’m just proud of them. I’m proud of them leaving the program better than when they found it, which was a really hard thing because these guys came in when we were on our third college World Series appearance.”

The emotions were wild since it was the senior players who faced the reality of not suiting up for the Huskies again.

“How we got here, we were pretty sad in the locker room, more so just the seniors being done,” Tarr said. “We have an amazing four-year team manager, Carter Pierce. He’s done some awesome GAs.”

It was a long journey considering Washington and Tarr suffered a loss in the regionals to McNeese. But in the third meeting, the Huskies and Tarr got the win.

Plus, the Huskies made quick work of the Super Regionals against Louisiana. Two wins (8-0 and 2-0) advanced Washington to the Women’s College World Series.

“This season, the team adjourns, unfortunately, but I’m just proud to be a Dog, and I’m proud to be associated with these guys,” Tarr said. “We could have easily been done in regionals, and these guys are truly miracle makers. I’m proud of them. I’m proud of staying with them.”

Washington finished the season 44-15 with a Women’s College World Series victory over Utah. However, the Huskies lost to Florida State and Stanford to end the season.

Under Tarr, it was the first Women’s College World Series appearance since 2019. Washington last won a national title in 2009.

After the 2023 season, Tarr is now 787-292-1 as a head coach with Washington.